Measuring apparatus



' March 29, 1938. WQOLLEY' 2,112,683

MEASURING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1935 INVENT OR.

PM 5 I I OOLLEY Patented Mar. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES 7 2,112.68: MEASURING APPARATUS Rew E. Woolley, Shaker Heights, Ohio,

assignmto Bailey 'Meter Company, a. corporation of Delaware Application July 6, 1935,- Serial No. 30,058

14Claims.

A further object is to provide a device wherein I an indication of quantity or rate may be produced adjacent or remotely at a considerable dis- 5 tance from the actuator or primary element.

Another object is to provide Still another object is to provide apparatus wherein such synchronism is effected through electrical means and wherein the current necessary'to effect such synchronous operation may be utilized as an indication of the rate of movement of the members.

A further specific object is to provide apparatus for obtaining a record and/or indication of rateof flow from an indication of quantity produced by a displacement meter.

Further objects will be apparent from the following description and from the drawing, in

30 which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view' of a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragementary views of modified forms of a part of the apparatus shown in,

Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a mod!- fled form of my invention.

' Fig. 6 is a modified form of circuit arrangement over that shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a further modified form of myinvention.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modified form of circuit arrangement over that shown in Fig; 'l.

I have chosen to illustrate and will describe my invention as applied to the, measurement of the rate of flow of av fluid, such as alcohol, benzol, fuel oil, molasses, paint or. the like; the total volume of which is conveniently and accurately measured by a positive displacement meter having as ,a primary element a chamber or chambers through which, the fluid passes in successive isolated quantities, either weights or volumes. These quantities may be separated from apparatus for measurapparatus for ef-x fecting synchronism between members in motion.

the stream and isolated by alternately filling and emptying containers of known capacity and fluid cannot pass through withoutactuating the primary device. The secondary element of such a meter normally consists of a counter with suitably graduated dials for indicating the total quantity that has passed through the meter up to the time of reading. It is frequently desirable, however, that an indication or record of the instantaneous rate of flow of such fluids be available, or that the secondary element be located remotelyat a considerable distance from the primary element, and my invention as illustrated in Fig. 1 contemplates an exhibiting device pro- .ducing such a record and/or indication, or remote integration, actuated by the shaft of the registering gear train or any other suitable shaft within the displacement meter.

Throughout the specification and the appended claims it is intended that exhibiting means shall denote any device or combination of devices for displaying in one or. more forms the magnitude or other quality of the variable being measured. Thus it may denote a pointer which will provide an indication .by observation of its movement or position with reference to a chart or graduated scale, or'a device providing a permanent visible record of such indication, or a device providing an indication of the total flow up to the time of reading, or any desired combination of such devices.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have therein shown a positive displacement meter I positioned in a pipe or conduit 1 for measuring the rate of flow of fluid therethrough. The meter i may be provided with a suitable secondary device, such as a register 3, from which the 'total flow passing through the pipe 2 up to the time of reading may be ascertained.

To record and/ or indicate the rate of flow of fluid through the pipe 2 I provide a pen arm 4 cooperating with a suitably graduated time rotatable chart 5 to give a permanent visible record of the rate of flow; and also cooperating with an index or graduated scale 6 to give a showing of the rate of flow existing at the instant of observation. The arm 4 is operatively connected to a shaft 1 of a motor 8 having opposed fields 8 and i adapted to be energized from a suitable source ii. Energization of the field 9 effects positioning of the arm 4 in one direction, whereas energization of the field i0 effects positioning of the arm 4 in opposite'direction. When both fields 9 and III are energized or deenergized, the shaft I does not rotate.

' an extension 6 secured to a As shown in Fig. '1, my invention contemplates rotating a member at a speed proportional to the rate of flow of fluid through the pipe 2; rotating 8. second cooperating member at a speed proportional to the position of the arm 4; and varying the speed of the second member to maintain the speeds of the two members in synchronism, whereby the position of the arm 4 is an indica tion of the rate of flow-of fluid t ough the conduit 2. To this end I show a rotatable contact member l2 drivenby the meter I through suitable bevel gears l9, shaft l4, bevel gears I6, and gear train shaft or other suitable shaft (not shown) of the meter The angular velocity of the extension I6 is pmportional to the rate of flow of fluid through the pipe 2, and accordingly the angular velocity of the member. l2 will likewise be proportional to the rate of flow o'f fluid through the pipe 2. v The rotatable member |2 carries an extension l1, shown more clearly in Fig. 2, provided with arms I 9 and I9 carrying contacts 20 and 2| respectively. Also carried by the member I2 are slip rings 22 and 23 connected to contacts 29 and extension I! -2| respectively through. and 26 which may be tension I 1 and member suitable conductors 24 carried through the ex- |2 through suitable pas- Normaliy in spaced relation with respect to the contacts 29 and 2| is. a cooperating contact 26 carried by an arm 21 ofarotatably member 29 forming an extension of a suitable internal shaft (not shown) within an electro-responsive device 29. The contact'26 is connected to a slip ring carried by the .member. 29 and which is electrically connected with one side of the source Ii through a conductor 9|.

The electro-respons ive device 29 connected to the source I i may be an integrating watt meter or similar device wherein the intemalshaft- (not shown) rotates at I current passing through the device, for example it may. the shaft adapted to actuate a register such as indicated at 92 through a suitable gear train (not shown).

The slip ring 22 is connected to the field 9 through a conductor 99, and the slip ring 29 is connected to the field i9 through a conductor 94. The fields 9 and III are connected to'o'ne side of the source through a conductor 95. When the speed of the arm 21 is the same as that of the the contact 26 will be in spaced relation to the contacts 29 and 2| so that the fields 9 and ill of the motor 9 are deenerg'ized. When,, however, the speed of the arm 21 is less than that of the extension |1 thecontact 26 will engage the contact 29, energizing the field 9. Conversely I when the speed of the arm 21 is greater than that of the extension l1 the contact 26 will engage the contact 2| energizing the field lli.

For varying the speed of the electro-responsive device 29 to maintain the arm 21 and extension ,,.at synchronous speeds I show a resistance 96 positioned in unison with the arm ;4'and cooper-' ating with a stationary contact 91 to vary the im- 1 pedance' connected in circuit with the electroresponsive device 29. Increases in impedance serve to eifect a decrease in speed of the extension 29, whereas decreases in impedance serve to increase the speed of the extension 29 indirect proportion to such increases and decreases. The arrangement is such that upon an increase in the sageways.

. rate of flow of fluid through the pipe 2, the speed of the member l2 will increase efl'ecting engagement between the contacts so and as" which will a speed dependent upon the As shown in Fig. 1, the arm-4 ispositioned in proportion to changes in the resistance or 1111- arm 21, extension l1 and flow graduations maybe further modified to being measured. shaft 1 and adapted to beangularly positioned thereby a resistance 96A having loops of non- T uniform lengths so in circuit with the velocity of the arm 21 extension l1, when the contact 29 and is agairrcqual to that of the the contact 26 will disengage further positioning of the arm 4 will cease until there is a further change in the rate of flow of fluid through the pipe 2. Conversely upon a decrease in the rate of flow, the contact 26 will engage the contact 2| energizing the field i9, effecting a downward positioning of the arm 4 and a simultaneous angular positiona ing of the resistance 96 in a direction, to increase the impedance in a circuit with the device 29,

fthereby eil'ecting a decrease in the speed of the contact 26 until it is again equal to the speed of the extension l1.

To provide a further indication, recording, or integration of the rate of flow of fluid through the .pipe 2 I may connect in circuit with the device 29 suitable exhibiting means such as the current responsive integrating meter 99, recording meter 39, and indicating meter 49, which may be located adjacent or remotely as desired from the displacement meter I. Likewise I may obtain an integration or an indication of the total flow of fluid through the pipe 2 from the register 92. By. the selection of proper graduations, constants and ratios, such instruments will exhibit the rate of flow of fluid or the total quantity of fluidas the case may be in desired units, such as pounds, pounds per hour, gallons, gallons per minute, or the lil: Such devices arewell known and per se form no part of my present invention.

cuit of the device 29. It is likewise positioned in functional relation to changes in speed of the of fluid through the pipe 2. Direct reading of flow or other variable being measured may be, obtained from the position of thearm 4 by suitable non-uniform graduating of the chart 5 and index 6, which compensate for further non-uniform relationships which may exist, or the arrangement shown in Fig. 3

may be used wherein the arm 4 pivotally supported at 4| is provided with an extension 42 forming a cam follower for. a cam 49 driven by theshaft 1. The cam "may be shaped so that equal increments of change in flow will result in equal increments of travel of the arm 4, notwithstanding that such incremental changes require unequal incremental changes in the impedance introduced into the circuit' oi the device 29 before synchronism is reestablished between the extension i1 and arm 21.

At Fig. 4 1 have shown a further modified form ofapparatus for obtaining movement of the magnitudeof the rate of flow or other variable ,Therein I show secured to the that equal angular movements of the shaft I produce unequal incremental device 29, thereby increasing the speed of the extension 29 until the angular arm 4 directly proportional to changes in the changes in the impedance in circuit with the device 26. The resistance 66A may be shaped so that equal increments of motion of the shaft 1 produce equal-incremental changes in speed of the device 26, or it may be shaped to produce any desired functional relation between increments of travel of the shaft 1, speed of the device 26, and the magnitude of the variable being measured.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of apparatus wherein I vary the current in the circuit of the-device 26 through the agency of a movable element electron discharge device. Referring to Fig 5 I have therein shown a movable element electron discharge device 44 having a cathode 45, and an anode 46 mounted in a diaphragm or other flexible means 41 forming a wall of the device.

The resistance or impedance of the device 44 to the passage of current may be controlled by varying the eflective area of the anode element 46 relative to the cathode element 45, or by varying the distance between-the elements, or by physically otherwise changing the relationship between the elements. My invention contemplates moving one of the-elements relative to the other to vary ments; or the, distance. between the elements; or some other physical dimension of the device to maintain the member I2 and extension 26 at synchronous speeds. It is to be understood therefore that by moving one of the elements relative to theother I mean any change in the physical relationship of the elements effective for producing' a change in the resistance or impedance of the device.

I have shown the movable anode 46 secured to an arm 46 carried by the-member l2 rotatable at a speed proportional to' the rate of flow of fluid through the pipe 2 as explained with reference to Fig. 1. The cathode 45 is rigidly supported in the device 44 which is carried by an arm 4 secured to the extension 26 rotatable at a speed proportional to the current in the circuit of the device 29. when the member l2 and extension 26 are rotating at synchronous speeds the cathode 45 and anode 46 remain in flxed physical relationship to each other. when however the speed of the member l2 increases, for example,

the anode 46 will move relative to the cathode 45 in a direction to decrease the resistance or impedance of the device 45 to the passage of current; and conversely when the speed of the member l2 decreases the anode 46 will move in opposite direction to increase the resistance of the device 44 to the passage of current.

The cathode 45 is shown connected to one side of a suitable source 5|! through a conductor 5| and thev anode, 46 is connected to the opposite side of the source 50 through a conductor 52. It is to be understood that the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 5 is diagrammatic and that the anode 46 and cathode 45 maybe co'nnected'to the conductors 5| and 52 through suitable slip rings such as I have diagrammatically illustrated at 56. The cathode 45 is heated through a transformer54, the primary-of which is connected across the sourcel56.

Connected in the cathode-anode circuit of the device 44 is the saturating winding 55 of a saturable core-reactor 56 having a saturable winding 51, connected in circuit with the electrorespdnsive devices 26, 66, 66, and 46. The current in the saturating winding 55 controls the saturable winding 51, so that winding 51 the effective area of one of the e1e-' til it is again equal ingly the transformer changes in current in the saturating winding 55 produce corresponding and proportionate changes in the current in the saturable winding 51. There is, however, no appreciable passing of power from the saturating winding 55 to the saturable winding 51,-0r vice versa,- as occurs with an inductive coupling, such as a transformer having a primary and a secondary winding. .Increases in current in the saturating winding 55 producing proportionate changes in current in the saturable winding 51 effect proportionate changes in the readings of the indicator 46, recorder 66, integrator 36 and speed of the extension 26.

.In operation, upon an increase in speed of the member l2 for example, the anode 45 will move relative to the cathode 45 in a direction to decrease the resistance of the device 44 and accordingly increase the current in the saturating winding 55. The impedance of the saturable will be decreased proportionately, causing a greater. passing of current through the device 26 and an increase in speed of the extension 26 and device 44. The anode 46 will continue to be positioned relative to the cathode 45, increasingthe speed of the extension 26 unto Conversely upon a decrease in speed of the member l2 the anode 46 will move relative to the cathode 45 in opposite direction, decreasin the speed of the extension 26 until it is again equal to that of the member l2. Likewise the exhibiting devices 66, 66 and 40 will be positioned in dependence upon the increase or decrease of current and so in accordance with changes in speed of the member l2 or rate of flow of fluid through the conduit. 2.

Movements of the anode 45 relative to the cathode 45 necessary to restore synchronism are relatively small, in the order of a few thou-' sandths of an inch, so thatthe member l2 and extension 26 continuously rotate at synchronous speeds; and a small change in phase relationship is sufficient to maintain synchronism upon a change in speed at the member l2. Consequently changes in the rate of flow of fluid are substantially instantaneously reflected in proportionate positioning of the exhibiting devices 66, 66, 46 and speed of the extension 26.

modified form of circuit output circuit of the device 44 is connected to the secondary winding of an inductive coupling, such as 'a transformer 56, the primary winding of which is" connected in series circuit with the indicator 4|I, recorder 66 and'device 26. Asknown the impedance of the primary winding will vary inversely with the current passing through the secondary winding, which is controlled by the position of the anode 46 relative to the cathode-45. Accord- 56 will effect speed control of the device 26in similar fashion to the saturablecore reactor 56. Thus an increase in speed of the member l2 will position the anode 46 relative to the cathode 45 to decrease the resistance of the rent, increasing the current in the secondary. of the transformer 56, effecting a proportionate arrangement. The

that of the member i2.

device 44 to the passage of curj decrease in the impedance of the primary windhave shown the saturable core-reactor 56 and transformer 56 respectively directly connected to tor 68.

I sistance 60 is re] ducting.

charge device portion to the speed of the member l2.

.the current through the sired interpose suitable amplifying devices, such as electron discharge devices, to produce current ,changes having a-magnitude sufficient to exer-' 'cise desired control of the device 29.

In Fig. 7 I have shown an arrangement wherein I have substituted the movable electron dis- 44-for the resistance 36 as shown in Fig. 1 to control the speed of the extension 28 to maintain synchronism with the speedof the member l2. Therein I have shown a cam 59 positioned by the shaft 1 adapted to move the anode 46. The cam 59 may be shaped to produce any desired relation between increments of angular travel of the shaft 1 and changes in resistance of the device 44.

Included in the output circuit of the device 44 is a resistance 60 and a .source of potential comprising the secondary of a transformer 6|,

the primary of which is connected to the source ll. Aterminal 62 of nected to a grid 63 of an electron discharge-device 64, having an anode65 and a cathode 66. An opposite-terminal 61 of the resistance 60 is connected to the cathode 66 through a conduc- When the passaagte ively small, the grid 83 will the same potential as the device 64 will conduct ourbe at substantially cathode 86, and the rent. As the current 60 increases, the potential of fall below that of the cathode 86 in proportion to the increases in current in the resistance 60, rendering the device 64 proportionately less conthe grid 63 will Positioning of the anode 46 or the device 44 relative to the cathode 45 serves to vary the current in the resistance 60 inversely in pro- Accordinglythe device 64 will be rendered more or less conducting in accordance with increases or decreases in speed of the member l2.

The saturating winding 55 is shown connected in the output circuit of the device 64 so that as it is rendered more conducting the current in the saturable winding 51 increases, increasing the speed of the extension 28 and positioning the exhibiting devices 39" and 40 in accordance wit 1 the increase of current and accordingly in proportion to the change in rate of flow through the pipe 2.

In operation, upon an increase in speed of the member I! the shaft I of the motor 8 will be positioned in one direction, as explained with reference to Fig. 1. Positioning of the shaft 1 will move the anode 46 relative to the cathode 45 through the agency of the cam 59, effecting through the electron disch rge device 64 and saturable, core-reactor an increase in current eilective for increasing the speed of the extension 28, which operation will continue until the a decrease in flow through thepipe 2, the shaft 1 will be positioned in opposite direction producing a movement of the anode 46 to decrease device 20 and eflecting a decrease in speed of the extension 28 until it is again equal to that of the member II.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modification of a portion of the circuit as shown in Fig. -7,-wherein I employ an inductive coupling comprising a transformer between the output circuit of the electhe resistance 60 is conof current through the re-' flow through the resistance tron discharge device 64 and the circuit of the device 29. Changes in the grid-cathode potential relation of the electron discharge device 64 are accordingly eflectiv'e for varying the current in the secondary winding of the transformer 69, pr ducing corresponding variations in the impedance of the primary winding, thus increasing or decreasing the speed of. the extension 28 proportionately.

While I have chosen to illustrate and describe my invention applied to the measurement of the rate 01' flow of a fluid, it is apparent that it can equally as well be adapted to a wide variety of other uses. For example, the member I! could be operatively connected to a rotating shaft through suitable gears and the chart 5 and index 6 graduated to record and indicate respectively .in R. P. M., and the register 32 to give the total number of revolutions up to the time of reading. It is to be.understood therefore that the embodiment herein described is illustrative only.

What I claim as new,.and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Apparatus comprising a first member continuously rotatable at a speed proportional to the magnitudeeof a variable, a reversible motor having opposed windings, an electric circuit, a

resistance in said circuit, means for varying said resistance actuated by said motor, a meter of the current in said circuit having a member continuously rotatable at a speed proportional to the magnitude of the current, cooperative contact means actuated by said members for controlling the energizing of the opposed windings of said motor in accordance with the relative positions of said members; and exhibiting means actuated by said motor.

2. Apparatus comprising a first member con-' tinuously rotatable at a speed proportional to the magnitude of a variable, a reversible motor having opposed windings, an electric circuit, a resistance in said circuit, means for varying said resistance actuated by said motor, a meter of the current in said circuit having a member continuously rotatable at a speed proportional to the magnitude of the current, cooperating contact means actuated by said members for controlling the energizing of the opposed windings of said motor in accordance with the relative positions of said members, a movable member, and means operated by said motor for moving said member in direct proportion '1 changes in said variable.

3. Apparatus comprising a first member continuously rotatable at a speed proportional to the magnitude of a variable, a reversible motor having opposed windings, an electric circuit, a

resistance in said circuit, means for varying said resistance actuated by said motor, a meter of the current in said circuit having a member continuously rotatable at a speed proportional to the magnitude of the current, cooperating contact means actuated by said members for controlling the energizing-of the opposed windings of said-motor in accordance with the relative positions of said members, a cam positioned by said motor and an indicator actuated by said cam,

. members, of means for synchronizing the movements of said members comprising a movable element electron discharge device, the elements 7 which are relatively movable by said members,

of which are relatively movable by said members, and means under the control of said device ,for varying the rate of movement of one of said members.

5. The combination with two separately driven members, of means for synchronizing the movements of said members comprising a movable element electron discharge device, the elements of which are relatively movable by said members, a current responsive device for driving one of said members; and means for varying the current in said device comprising an impedance controlled by said electron discharge device.

6. The combination with two separately driven members, of means for synchronizing the movement of said members comprising a movable element electron discharge device, the elements of which are relatively movable by said members, an output circuit for said device, electro-responsive means for driving one of said members, a circuit for, said electro-responsive means, and an inductive coupling between the output circuit of said device and said circuit.

' 'l. The combination with two separately driven members, of means for synchronizing the movement of said members comprising a movable element electron discharge device, the elements of an output circuit for said device, electro-responsive means for driving one of said members, a circuit for said electro-responsive means and a saturable-core reactorbetween the output circuit of said device and said last-named circuit.

,8. A rate of flow meter comprising in combination, a movable element electron discharge device, an output circuit for said device, a meme ber movable in accordance with the rate of flow for moving one of the. elements, an electric cir-' cult, electro-responsive means connected in said circuit, a movable of the elements of said device controlled by said 'electro-responsive means; and a saturable-core reactor connecting the output circuit of said device with said electric circuit. r

9. In a rate of now meter, in combination, an electron discharge device wherein the elements are relatively movable, an output circuit for said device, means for relatively moving said elements in accordance with changes in the rate of flow, exhibiting means positioned in accordance with the current in .the output circuit of said device; and means for relatively moving said elements in accordance with changes in the position of said exhibiting means.

10. Apparatus comprising a member continuously rotating in one direction at a speed proportional to the magnitude of a variable, variable speed unidirectional electro-responsive means, a

member for moving another able element electron discharge device;

second rotatable member actuated by said responsive means, means under the joint control of said members for varying the current in said electro-responsive means to operate said second member in synchronism with said first member; and measuring means for the current in said electro-responsive means.

11. Apparatus comprising a shaft, means for continuously rotating said shaft in one direction at a speed proportional to the magnitude of a variable, a radially extending member secured to said shaft and adapted to be driven thereby, a second shaft co-axial with said first shaft, unidirectional variable speed current responsive electro means for continuously rotating said second shaft, a radially extending second member secured to said second shaft and adapted to be driven thereby, means under the joint control of said members for varying the current in said electro-responsive means to maintain said members at identical speeds, and measuring means of the current in said electro-responsive means.

12. The combination with two separately continuously rotating members, of means for rotating said members at synchronous speeds comprising a movable element electron discharge device, the elements of which are relatively movable by said members, and means under the control of said device for varying the rateof rotation of one of said members.

13. Apparatus comprising a member continuously rotating in one direction at a speed proportional to the magnitude of -a variable, variable speed unidirectional electro-responsive means, a second rotatable member actuated by said responsive means, a movable element electron discharge device, means for relatively moving the elements of said device under the joint control of said members, 'and means under the control of said electron discharge device for varying the speed of said electro-responsive means.

14. Apparatus comprising a member continuously rotating in one direction at a speed proportional to the magnitude of a variable, variable speed unidirectional electro-responsive means, a second rotatable member actuated by said responsive means, a movable element electron discharge device, means for relatively movingthe elements of said device under the joint control of said members; a second electron discharge device having an input and an output circuit, said input circuit under the control of said movand means under the control of said output circuit for varying the speed of said electro-responsive' means. I

new E. WOOLLEY. 

